Alms Bag

James Russell Lowell, in his book “The Vision of Sir Launfal” tells the story of ambitious young knight Sir Launfal, wrapped in shining armor and wearing fine clothes, that part of the castle to find the “Holy Grail”, bearing in his banner the cross, the symbol of kindness and gentleness of Christ, the lover and humble, but at the heart, pride and disdain for the poor and needy.

Find a leper, and disdainfully tosses a gold coin as though I give a bone to a hungry animal. This does not raise the gold dust and says, “… best for me is the crust of the poor; best blessing of this – if I have to retire from his door empty handed. There are true alms which can only be taken by hand. Gold is useless to those who give just because you think a must do. But that part of his poverty, and give to those who are not within your view … “” … the hand can not cover all their alms. ”

This passage of the American writer of the nineteenth century can be understood at first as a poetic description of what the charity and charitable notion that every person as a human being should be part of each other.

But beyond that is that supposed to actually not an act of generosity, sacrifice or obligation, but rather, entirely voluntary behavior as a way of living, feeling and “live”.

Its historical origins date back to the “Order of San Juan ” 1120, Ratified in 1140 by Alfonso VII and established in Spain in 1145-1150 , the first Grand Master was Gerardo . He was also called ” Order of Hospitallers ” because the Pope ordered them by the government and administration of the Hospital of Jerusalem that served to restore Catholics pilgrimage to that city to visit the Holy Sepulchre and elsewhere. They were exempted from taxes, received donations of Kings and nobles met and like the Templars the three vows of chastity , obedience and silence , plus Hospitality . The Hospitallers and the Templars were building restoration and healing centers , churches , etc. along the southern Mediterranean coast to Jerusalem, the first charge of its administration and the second of his safety and that of pilgrims. The intensification of the struggle against the Saracens forced the Hospital to take up arms , like the Templars , then mingling with them. This Order is the reference to the term ” Lodge of San Juan ” reteje used in the first grade , which commemorates the first question you need to answer the Elohim Mason on his journey to East: Where do we come ?. Similarly, the fee in Lodge Hospital is a remembrance to the principles and purposes of the Order. The Sack of Charity Trunk or Widow or trunk Solidarity is a bag or a box, or a box , containing contributions from HH . · . a work to benefit the needy.

It deposited Brothers discreetly , without ostentation, an amount as solidarity contribution for that purpose; either extract from it what they need or are proposing to allocate a certain act of Charity or solidarity . Garnish with a Cornucopia ( Horn of Plenty ) or with an extended hand as a sign offering help, both emblems of the attitude of permanent readiness material and moral attention that Masons must strive towards our equals . Some emblem used as a Sack , but this seems redundant and little instructive comparison with the symbols indicated . The hospital is responsible for allocating and circulate content to acts agreed by the Lodge , yielding realize it at the right time . The way in which the functions of this position are expected to play Ancient Manners and Customs of the Order.